SJHL Game 9: Melfort Mustangs at Battlefords North Stars

The Battlefords North Stars are currently on a 3 game losing streak having lost by a goal to Flin Flon and Humboldt as well as dropping a 6-3 decision against La Ronge. The Stars right now are 3-5 on the season and in last place in the Bauer division. I do not believe this team is a last place team. But they need to go out on the ice and prove that night in and night out.

I spoke with Blake Young and Austin Evans at different times yesterday and they both said that practice yesterday was good. The Stars were sharp. They need to bring a gritty and hard working game every night to be successful. Hopefully that starts tonight at the Civic Center.

By the way I should mention the charity effort for tonight’s game. Bring a toque and mitten donation to the game and when the Stars score their first goal you get to chuck the toque and mittens on the ice. They will then be donated to needy families to help them stay warm this winter. And according to weather services we are in for a slightly colder than normal winter.

Recent Game:

Melfort Mustangs:

The Mustangs were in action last night on home ice. They fell behind 3-1 in the first period to the Yorkton Terriers. But the Mustangs don’t give up. They fought back to make it 3-3 heading to the third period. But Tyler Giebel scored for Yorkton and the game finished 4-3.

Battlefords North Stars:

The North Stars lost to Humboldt on Wednesday at the Civic Center.

Players to Watch:

Melfort Mustangs:

Brandon Formosa. Has 11 points in 11 games so far this season. Formosa lit up the Junior B league in BC that he played in last season. The Mission, BC native had 79 points in 50 games for the Creston Valley Thuder Cats. He’s off to a good start in the SJHL so far.

Carter Berg. Had a big hit on Austin Evans at the end of the last game between these two teams. It was dangerous because of where it happened on the ice. Coach Hasselberg called it “uncharacteristic’ of Berg. He’s big, physical and plays with an edge. And he’s fun to watch.

Battlefords North Stars:

Josh Betinol, Austin Evans and Jake McMillen were excellent against Humboldt offensively. That line was out for a couple goals against as well though. I also thought Luke McColgan had a very good game. From the forwards I am looking to see how the other guys respond tonight. There were definitely some skaters who weren’t very good against the Broncos. They need to bounce back tonight.

Casey Parker. Expected to make his first start tonight. The reports I heard said that Casey was very good at the WJAC ID Camp in Humboldt. He gets his chance for the Stars tonight.

Head to Head:

The North Stars won the only previous meeting between these teams this season. They picked up a 3-1 win back on September 29th. Roger Tagoona and Kyle Hall, with 2, scored for the North Stars in that one.

2 Comments

hockeyfan

Great to see McClogan, Gosselin, Ripley get there first goals of the year, and Parker get his first win of the year. The boys are looking better. Mike, do you know what the trade was for McMillen when we got him last year? A guy told me that we still owed futures from Yorkton? Any truth to this..